The Alpine A110 is getting a one-make race series

There aren’t nearly enough one-make race series in the world, which is why we’re especially pleased to learn that, next year, the new Alpine A110 is getting an FIA-approved one all of its own. It’s called the Alpine Europa Cup, and it’s set to take place over six meetings, beginning at Paul Ricard in June, then moving to somewhere in Germany (TBC), Dijon-Prenois, Silverstone, Spa and finally Catalunya at the end of October. Each meeting consists of two free practice sessions, two qualifying sessions and two races – all of 30 minutes each. That’s about three hours of track time. 

Alpine and Signatech – which runs the Alpine A470s in the WEC – will build 20 A110 Cups for the first season. These are not ordinary A110s – they have the same engine as the standard car (with 18bhp more, for 270bhp), but the gearbox is a 3MO six-speed sequential, its chassis and suspension have been modified/swapped for more serious components and its interior stripped of all unnecessary weight. Because racecar. 

Now, money. The A110 Cup is about £90k. Registration fees are another £18k, then it’s another £18k for your deposit. Alpine estimates the total season cost at about £90k (not including the car, obviously), and overalls, tools, comms and chassis/engine technical support are all included. “More than” £142k is on offer in prize money, too. If we had the money to enter, we might be tempted.